Ukraine Defense Minister promises a victory parade in Russia

Newly appointed Ukraine’s Defense Minister Valeriy Geletey promised a victory parade on Russian territory, in Sevastopol. He expressed confidence that “Ukraine will win.” According to RBC-Ukraine, such a statement Geletey made ​​during a speech in Parliament immediately after the appointment.

Kyiv, June 03 – Newly appointed Defense Minister Valeriy Geletey imitates leaving a signature on the document after taking the oath. Photo by Bogdan Bortakov

“I promise that as defense minister, with your support I will do everything possible to ensure the safety of our fellow citizens, to ensure peace in our country … I am convinced that Ukraine will win and victory parade is sure to be in Ukrainian Sevastopol” – said Geletey. One wonders, why not in “Ukrainian Moscow” right away?

July 3rd President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko presented Valery Geletey to Verkhovna Rada as a candidate for the post of defense minister. He was voted into appointment with 260 voices. During his career Geletey twice served as head of the State Guard of Ukraine – from 2007 to 2009 and from 2 March 2014 till now. He became infamous as head of the Kiev Organized Crime Division where he became close friends with the leaders of organized crime groups, “solving” their “difficulties”, as well as providing “help” to business. Not without a fee, of course. He was also convicted of taking bribes from big oil companies. According to former colleagues, Geletey is very ambitious and will stop at nothing in the fight for “new heights”.

Crimea and Sevastopol held a referendum on March 16, 2014 in which the overwhelming majority of voters voted to join Russia. After that, the local authorities have executed an agreement with the Russian Federation. Ukrainian authorities claim the referendums to be unconstitutional. On April 15 Verkhovna Rada adopted a law declaring the peninsula occupied territory.

It is interesting how the Defense Minister can both threaten people with a war against Russia and promise them peace in the same sentence. Apparently, these concepts mean the same thing to the Ukrainian government now.